Grapefruit League Game 22-Phillies at Yankees

Here is the lineup for tonights game followed by some pregame notes. Jeter(SS) Thames(DH) Teixeira(1B) Rodriguez(3B) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Granderson(LF) Gardner(CF) Cervelli(C) Phil Hughes is starting tonights game. Rivera and Marte are also scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen tonight. Hughes is scheduled for about 75 pitches, remember he is on short rest. I know you are wondering is that A-rod in the lineup, yes it is. He was supposed to be in Buffalo meeting with the FEDS but we are not sure if that happened. Here is what he had to say today. "There was no meeting, no meeting today." He said "What I can tell you is that nothing has changed. We're going to continue to work together. We're going to cooperate and we're going to talk to the feds and major league baseball shortly." He said he is meeting with MLB because the league wants to hear what he has to say. He said he doesn't know where or when that meeting will take place. He said they are still working on it. He said "Whether I talk to them today or next week it will get done and hopefully it will be done before Opening Day and we can move on." The reports were that he was to meet in Buffalo today with the Feds, Rodriguez never said he wasn't in Buffalo just that he was in Tampa last night. This is still all fuzzy as usual with A-rod but I really don't believe he has done anything wrong in this case. The Yankees may be mad because they didn't give him permission to even meet with Dr. Galea but I am sure they will get past this. Marcus Thames is hitting second to get more at bats against the lefty Jaime Moyer. He will also start tomorrow against lefty Nate Robertson. Joba is scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen tomorrow. He said he will continue to use a changeup and curveball in his bullpen sessions but plans on going primarily back to a fastball-slider combo as a reliever. Joe Girardi said "I think Joba can do both, I really do." He was talking about starting or relieving and I do also but right now he is best used as a reliever. Joe Girardi said the same thing that right now they need him as a reliever. I think also if MO gets injured knock on wood then they have Joba who can step right in. The game is not on TV but is on WCBS radio in NY. It is 880AM on the dial. I will be out and about tonight so I won't be able to get to a game recap but I will have that tomorrow. Here is the Phillies Lineup: Rollins(SS) Polanco(3B) Utley(2B) Howard(1B) Werth(RF) Ibanez(LF) Victorino(CF) Gload(DH) Ruiz(C)

Yanks have Rough Day in Sarasota

The New York Yankees lost to the Baltimore Orioles today in Sarasota by the score of 8-0. The Yankees starter was Alfredo Aceves who had been pitching so well this spring. He had a very rough day, I wonder if he was affected at all by the news that Hughes won the 5th starter competition and he will compete now for a job in the bullpen. He pitched into the third inning but didn't record an out, he gave up 6 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks. Boone Logan gave up a run in 1 inning but 0 hits, walks or strikeouts. Sergio Mitre pitched well, he went 2 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run with a walk. The run that scored was on a double play ball but second baseman Robinson Cano was going to cover second base and the ball got through for a RBI single. Chan Ho Park continues to impress with 2 scoreless innings. He gave up 2 hits and had 2 strikeouts. David Robertson finished out the pitching with a scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and walk and also had a strikeout. The offense didn't do much of anything, Randy Winn led the charge with 3 hits. Derek Jeter and Ramiro Pena each had a hit and that was it for the offense. Alex Rodriguez had a walk but struck out twice, some wonder if he was distracted by his meeting tommorrow in Buffalo with the Feds. Francisco Cervelli also drew a walk. The Yankees will play the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow night at 7:00PM. The game is at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The game will not be broadcast on TV. Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to make a relief appearance on Saturday, Joe Girardi said today just because they didn't win the 5th starter spot doesn't mean the other guys will head right to the bullpen. He said they still have to earn it and it is not a lock that Joba is the 8th inning guy. I don't see Joba not being that guy and eventual replacement for MO now and I am sure he is going to take the bull by the horns and go out and dominate in his single innings the rest of the spring. I just think he is built best for that job and he should flourish in the setup role like he did when he first came up.